Digital Systems and Design, Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (Technology)

Description

Are you hands-on and creative with a deep interest in electronics, engineering, programming and mathematics? With its dual focus on electrical engineering and design, the Digital Systems and Design bachelor is a unique study option.

Get ready to dive deep into complex systems and the principles of engineering design. Here’s a snapshot of what you’ll learn about:

• Networking
• Control and Automation
• Relevant programming languages (Python, C++, C, Matlab, Scala)
• Photonics and Optical Communications
• Estimation, Detection and Learning
• Basics of Electronic Circuits
• Design thinking and Electronic Prototyping

During your studies in Digital Systems and Design, you will acquire:

• knowledge in efficient analysis, design and optimisation of complex systems
• cutting-edge design skills tailored for engineering that make a difference in technical solutions
• management skills sought after in leading industry positions
• practical programming expertise in a range of languages relevant to industry, like Python, C, C++, and MATLAB.
• experience in project and teamwork through an industrial or industry-related project
• training in packaging and presenting your ideas to peers and industry stakeholders

By the end of your bachelor’s, you will be proficient in the modelling and analysis of systems and have a good foundation in the broad field of computer networks. You will also gain professional experience through tailored industry projects and entrepreneurship training, and learn directly from experts in the field of information technology.

Overall, the programme is designed to allow you to explore and refine your broad technical interests with both theoretical and hands-on building. Then you’ll take the reins, focusing on a specific topic to design and build your final project. Finally, you will develop your expertise even further on your related bachelor’s thesis.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction in the Aalto Bachelor’s Programme in Science and Technology and the Digital Systems and Design major is English. The programme is conducted entirely in English, including all courses and exams. For students with sufficient proficiency in Finnish, it is also possible to study the 20-25 credit minor subject of the bachelor’s degree in Finnish. During your studies, it is possible to attend language courses as electives that may boost your Finnish language proficiency to B1.

Tuition fees and scholarships

The tuition fee for this programme is 12 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.

Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.

More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.

Structure of studies

The bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) is composed of basic programme studies (65 ECTS mathematics, programming, industrial engineering and management, obligatory languages, Aalto studies, orientation), the major in digital systems and design (65 ECTS including BSc thesis and seminar), the minor (20-25 ECTS) and elective studies (25-30 ECTS).

More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student Guide.

The programme combines theoretical knowledge with applied experiences in the multidisciplinary fields needed to plan and develop digital systems. This includes large systems like (autonomous) cars, planes, ships, satellites – as well as sensors and personal mobile devices. Your studies will cover the design of systems like these, as well as give you essential competencies in networking, electronic circuits, estimation and learning, control and automation, as well as optical communication.

Building on your prior education in mathematics and programming, you’ll deepen your understanding through courses and workshops that foster hands-on experience and management skills through team projects. Through a mix of independent, classroom and group learning with students from a variety of study paths, you’ll be prepared for an exciting career where you get to build and maintain systems that are critical in today’s growing digital landscape. The Digital Systems and Design major also trains English presentation and writing skills, as well as management and first industrial experiences.

This combination of technical and interpersonal skills are today's key competencies that will help you thrive throughout your career.

Specialisations

This major takes a unique approach to the bachelor’s thesis. In Digital Systems and Design, you will build a hands-on final project aligned with your upcoming thesis. After finishing the final project, you’ll approach your thesis topic as an expert, gaining a truly deep understanding of your research topic.

Another unique benefit in the programme is the opportunity to develop your Finnish language skills in the classroom. International students have the option to take a Finnish language course each semester as part of their degree plan. The goal of the course is to reach B1 proficiency (early intermediate) by the time you complete your bachelor’s studies. This will help you integrate into Finnish society, the Finnish labour market and pass the YKI test (a prerequisite for Finnish citizenship).

Internationalisation

The study environment in Aalto University is strongly international and studies are conducted in multicultural groups. The School of Electrical Engineering boasts 47% international teaching and research personnel and 24% of all professors in the school are from outside Finland.

At Aalto University, there are many ways to build global competence and international communication skills. For example, you’re free to complete part of your degree abroad at an international partner university (exchange studies), conduct practical training abroad, take a summer course in another country, or tutor first-year students.

In your Digital Systems and Design major, you’ll spend your time working closely with fellow students from multiple nationalities and backgrounds – with a few dozen students from diverse cultural backgrounds beginning their studies each year.

Further study opportunities

As a bachelor’s student of the Digital Systems and Design major, you’re entitled to continue your studies at the master’s level at Aalto University.

Having been exposed to a broad range of technical disciplines throughout your bachelor's, you’ll be ready to take the next step in defining your own future – and your options are open. Choose from among any of the master’s programmes offered by the Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering.

You can also continue to other technical master’s programmes offered at Aalto, provided you have completed the necessary minor subject and/or courses. You can plan for this together with your academic advisor.

More information can be found in the Student Guide.

Career opportunities

The Digital Systems and Design Bachelor is designed to prepare you for advanced studies in engineering, science and mathematics. Your master’s level studies will equip you for a role in demanding fields like:

• Electrical engineering
• Automation engineering
• Electronics engineering
• Simulation engineering

Research focus

The range of research topics under investigation by our students and staff reflect the broad knowledge and skills you’ll gather during your time in this major. Let your research interests guide your studies, and work as a teaching or research assistant with a professor to put yourself at the forefront of electrical engineering technology.

Engineering design: Explore the foundational principles of engineering design, the crux of human interaction with digital technology.

Networking and network security: How can networks be better designed, with fewer vulnerabilities to attack?

Electronic circuits: Contribute to the latest research in circuit board design and applications.

Estimation, detection and learning: Conduct research on understanding data using probability and multivariate analysis.

Control and automation: Help drive the ever-greater efficiency of industrial processes forward, helping companies reduce emissions, prevent accidents, and increase profitability.

Embedded real-time systems: Research, design and implement systems that interact with the world in real time, like medical devices, vehicle control systems, and location technology.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Shape the latest research on transformative artificial intelligence technology.

Photonics and optical communication: Take part in the latest research on modern optical communication systems and optical components.

One option is to stick to the main topic and take the short descriptions away. Since the description is aimed at the BSc level, maybe research focuses aren’t the main thing right at first.

Co-operation with other parties

Digital Systems and Design students will work together in integrated courses and teams, collaborating with students from the business, arts, and computer science fields on design, technical implementation and business strategy.

This close collaboration throughout your years at Aalto will leave you with a strong network of ambitious professionals, and strong practical skills you can apply immediately in your workplace or as an entrepreneur.

Contact information

Learning Services of Aalto University School of Science

In case of programme-specific questions and inquiries, please contact the Learning Services of Aalto Bachelor’s Programme in Science and Technology

bsc.tech(at)aalto.fi

Admission Services

If you have open questions about the admissions and application instructions, you can reach out to Admission Services

[email protected]